To the king Josiah… Huldah the prophetess spoke this for the Lord…
because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 2 Kings 22:19
To Daniel in a vision….
Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. Daniel 10:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12
Don’t think you can fool God with your religious talk and bravado…
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18: 9-14
If you want God to hear you — you must be truly humble and honest in your heart as you approach God in prayer. For us who are filled with His Spirit – it would mean acknowledging what the Holy Spirit is convicting us with … and not avoiding His instructions because they are too uncomfortable. Often surrender to Him is required before taking steps towards receiving anything from God. Do you approach God with a humble heart and attitude?
Since it’s ‘pride’ month… do you think approaching God with ‘pride’ will get you anywhere with Him? How did the pride of the Pharisee work out for him? As you can see there is also a ‘religious’ pride that can keep you from God’s … favor and forgiveness.
When you pray do you truly begin with a heart of humility? Every time? Humility and real worship seem to work seamlessly together. Do you exalt God in prayer? Do you actually share the love from you heart for Him in your prayer? Be as honest as you can be in prayer … start there.
Our pride is often our biggest hindrance before God. Has the Holy Spirit revealed in your life where your self-pride still exists? Are you brave enough to ask Him?